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OPINIONS FROM OTHERS.

22nd November 1927, Page 197
22nd November 1927
Page 197
Page 197, 22nd November 1927 — OPINIONS FROM OTHERS.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Axles of a Six-wheeler.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[2644] Sir,-Permit me to suggest names for the second back axle of a six-wheeler.

(1) Sub back axle, if a solid beam ; (2) dummy back axle, if externally as back axle, but non-driving; (3) joint back axle, if same as back axle or driving axle.

The term "back axle" to remain for axle nearest gearbox.-Yours faithfully, London.

A Better Nomenclature Needed.'

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

26451 Sir,-There is little doubt that In most industries an occasional overhaul of the nomenclature In general becomes necessary, for, as an industry develops, many names become incorrect, and in many cases one is not able clearly to express one's meaning.

For instance, the word " motor " has many meanings to-day ; it is applied loosely to a motorcar, motor lorry, and, in many instances, to an electric dynamo. Would it not be better if the word " dynamo " were more generally used?

The class of lorry or bus where the driver sits by the side instead of behind the engine has been called by such names as "forward drive." This term might easily be confused with the name applied to a vehicle in which the front wheels are the drivers. Is not "forward control," as employed by The Commercial Motor, a better term?

The correct names for the three axles of a sixwheeler have not yet been satisfactorily determined. The seafaring names do not seem to fit in well, for who would talk of the "mizzen axle "? I suggest that "front," " central " and " rear " would constitute the best solution.

The " differential " was once known as the "balance gear," and in the North of England as the "jack in the box." When one talks to-day of a "differential," no one knows exactly what is meant.

If the word is used at all it should certainly apply to the arrangement of gears which permits the speed of one axle to differentiate from that of the other. The crown wheel and its pinion cannot in any way be included in the "differential," yet the term is generally applied to embrace these parts and in many cases te the whole, casing containing crown wheel, pinion and the bearings of both, as well as the mechanism which permits a differential speed between the axles. As the word " dashboard " has been replaced by the more correct term "instrument board," cannot we have something better than the very vague word "differential "?

Another thing that appears to be coming into general use, and has no proper name, is that class of grease that is used with the grease-gun. Until recently the word " grease " meant a substance which, if in a tin, could be turned upside down without any risk of the grease gravitating and running out. The substance used so much to-day is of about the viscosity of soft soap. A tin of it would empty in time, if It were turned upside down ; in order words, it can gravitate. In consistency it is about half way between what is known as grease and what is known as oil. Could not some word, such as " haIf-grease " or " semi-grease " be decided upon? At present we seem to have no way of distinguishing this much-used substance. C.M.L. London.

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